The Very First Apostate

The Ultimate Expression of “Going South” Right?
BLASTED DOWNWARD!
WHY?

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6

The history of apostasy begins right here – with the archenemy of the Almighty. He who is the enemy of Christ is also the enemy of the people of God. Jesus told us that this devil, cast down to the earth, “walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” and has come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Lucifer and a third of the angels of God became the very first apostates – those who were once with God then departed (1 Tim. 4:1-3). The angels were  not “kept” against their own agreement or will. The same is true for humans God saves. They are never forced to remain in relationship with the LORD and if they depart (apostatize), eternal damnation awaits.

It’s a historical, biblical fact that Lucifer and a third of the angels that were previously of God and in His holy Heaven, chose to rebel and were thrust out of the LORD’s presence for good – they fell from grace.

“And he (Jesus) said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:18

Lucifer, like all the angels of God, was given a choice. If such were not the case, how would one-third of the angels have departed from the LORD and two-thirds freely chose not to become apostate?  From this we know the angels, a distinct class of God’s creation, have free will also. See Revelation 12:7-12. Lucifer was in the grace of God, holding one of the higher offices in Heaven, until he volitionally chose to sin (Ezekiel 28:15). Jude even warns us – human beings – citing the fall or apostasy of the angels in Heaven, warning us not to do as they did (Jude 5, 21). Satan and the fallen angels are irrevocably, eternally lost after having been in the grace and Heavenly abode of the Almighty.

“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:15

There are many apostates on the timeline beginning with Lucifer in eternity past and from Genesis to Revelation. The book of Jude contains a list of apostates with warnings to us not to apostatize.

Judas, chosen by the LORD and promised an eternal throne in Heaven (Matt. 19:28), wasn’t faithful to the end, so he fell away into sin and is now in hell (Acts 1:25). Judas, like Lucifer, was clearly (at the time Jesus chose him as one of His very twelve) in right standing with Jesus “till iniquity was found” in him (Ezek. 28:15). Recall that like the archenemy of mankind, Judas fell by his very own transgression which is always the result of choosing to be out of fellowship with the LORD of all creation (Acts 1:25) . Beloved, any time we have fallen from the grace of God, it has been the direct result of our own transgression. May God be praised that He is “ready (postured) to forgive” as we turn to Him in repentance (Ps. 86:5, 15).

Any mere man who teaches that a saved person cannot fall from saving grace and be lost again, is simply a false teacher. Beware!

Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast] | Calvinist Nightmare: The Judas Dilemma | The Truth About Predestination and Sealing | Satan

Sign up here to begin receiving the Moments with My Master email sent out to edify Christ’s people.

Dialogue:

Message Received:

“I did not say Judas was saved. He was created to fulfill a particular role in GOD’s plan.”

Reply:

Among men, Judas was the worst apostate in history. Where does God’s Word say “Judas was created to fulfill a particular role in God’s plan”?

The Bible never says that Judas was created to sin or rebel or betray Christ. God foreknew that he would do these things BUT God never created Him or anyone to sin and do evil. He is “Holy, holy, holy” and “neither tempteth he ANY man” (James 1:13).

No man in His free will is forced to obey God . The covenant Jews were “cut off” and divorced by the LORD after being HIS (Jer. 3:8; Rom. 11:20-22, etc.). We should not take “sovereignty” too far – but rather let the Scriptures alone define divine truth.

If you say we should go with “common sense” as how an earthly father would not kick his own child out, then consider that it’s common sense then that God, who is “Holy, holy, holy” and told us He’s coming back for a church/people “without spot and blemish” will not take anyone He previously saved into Heaven if they die in sin (Isaiah 6:3; Ephesians 5:25-27; Rev. 2-3, etc.). See also Hebrews 12:14.

The idea that God will force a wayward sheep back is a farce. We are talking about man not God having free will. God didn’t force Judas to return to Him. The LORD never forced Lucifer, Esau, Saul, or any other rebel to return to him.

God never planned for ANY person to rebel and go to hell. That is an indictment on the Almighty who says He cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempted He ANY man and that He is not willing that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9; James 1:13-15, etc.).

what Scripture tells us that God Himself desires anyone to do evil/sin or go to hell, forsaking the sacrifice He wrought through His only begotten Son? God’s sovereignty can only and exclusively be measured by what He sovereignly gave us in His Word.

His FOREKNOWLEDGE in no way means He tampers with man’s free will that He sovereignly gave to man. He desires no man to sin or betray Christ.

God’s story is exclusively recorded in His written Word to correct any and all false philosophy one might have of Him (2 Tim. 3:16). God has never intended or willed any person, especially initially, to sin or be damned to hell (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Such a notion is a lie an an evil indictment on Him who is love.

God is only involved with evil inasmuch as He has SOVEREIGNLY given man free will and some men (most) choose to rebel. But, He never desires or intends anyone to sin or go to hell.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15

Neither Give Place to the Devil! [podcast]

“Resist the Devil, and he will Flee from You” [podcast]

Overcoming that Old Serpent, Called the Devil, and Satan [podcast]